murderbaby: ) (115)
Mhavos Dalat, a pleasure. ([personal profile] murderbaby) wrote in [community profile] therookery2020-11-23 03:11 pm

REPORT | slasher plot / murderhaus.

SUBJECT: Misfits Lyrics.
PARTICIPANTS: Mhavos, Barrow, Sawbones, Ellis, Vanadi, Edgard, Athessa, Leander, Dick, & Holden.
CLASSIFICATION: Public.
DATE FILED: Firstfall 14.
STATUS: Complete.
SUMMARY: A rift on the property of the Ostwick Pickneys was closed successfully. On the way back, the party stopped at an inn, only to discover somewhat later that the inn was run by a murderer.

REPORT:

The Pickneys of Ostwick are minor nobility at best, but we are none to cast aspersions when it comes to allies. In retrospect, I wonder if the matriarch of the family, the Lady Elsed, asked for our aid in the specific hope that we would somehow find her lost son Gawen. We disregarded it; such a task was not our assignment, especially when Gawen Pickney had rather publicly announced his intention to elope with a Dalish elf some weeks ago.

Ostwick is not far from Kirkwall, but a storm came in, and we agreed it would be worthwhile to stay at a local inn rather than pushing ourselves. The Silver Lamp was a fine establishment so far as we were aware, though now all that remains is a smoking ruin along the northern roads.

We ate dinner and went to sleep, only for all of us to awaken in its labyrinthine basements, filled with equipment for torture, butchery of thinking peoples, and twisted taxidermy. It seems the owner of the Inn, a man who only gave his name as Medrod, saw himself as some sort of artist, his medium being elven and human bodies. We were also, upon our escape, able to procure some alchemical texts of his, which suggest the addition of human and elven 'ingredients' enhance his potions and poultices. I have indexed these books and added them to our library, however I've put them in a restricted section, where one must ask to withdraw them; I dislike the idea of them serving as inspiration.

All involved in this horror comported themselves with honor and empathy. Obeisance Barrow helped free Athessa Sulahnan, who had the idea of smashing mirrors along the internal hallways-- they were, of course, all mirrored to confuse even those who see in darkness. Richard Dickerson helped save James Holden's life when he was mortally wounded. Warden Ellis, Edgard, and Vanadi de Vadarta managed to wound the murderer enough for him to be apprehended later. Sister Sara Sawbones and Enchanter Leander were excellent healers.

When I say Medrod was apprehended... Edgard, Athessa and Vanadi went bravely back into his maze to put an end to him. I do not regret this action, even though I was too wounded to take part.

We found several unnamed elves, along with Gawen Pickney and the remains of his bride; those lone two were identifiable by matching rings with the Pickney sigil. The elves were buried in the Dalish fashion with the advisement of Athessa, while Gawen was burned with what Andrastian rites we could give him. We burned Silver Lamp down. I admit, for me, the burning was more cathartic than tactical.

Athessa Sulahnan, James Holden, and Enchanter Leander went back to deliver the Pickney rings to the Lady Elsed, who received them, I am told, with grief made no less real by her elegance.

The Pickney house of Ostwick owes Riftwatch a favor-- apparently, Lady Elsed said as much-- but who knows if they'll keep that promise. Worth discovering, possibly.

On the road back, we were able to discover, from talking to a Dalish scout we came across, that the fallen were of Clan Emmasalin. The Dalish elf, who refused to give her own name, let us know that Gawen's bride was named Cirahndis. (This was some comfort to me; I hated the thought of her only being remembered through the union that likely lead to her death.) She thanked us for the burial, though I cannot say she seemed especially trusting. I cannot say I blame her.

I for one wish to know who was funding Medrod. His lair was extensive, and he seemed far more practiced than could have been learned with the relatively few victims we found. Perhaps I should regret burning the place, for the possibility that evidence went up in the flames, but from what I saw there, I do not regret it at all.

NEXT STEPS: None, currently. Further plots may be submitted based on the hooks left by this one (Pickney's owing RW, Clan Emmasalin possibly owing RW, who was funding Medrod), but at the moment the PCs don't have any leads.